After a 16-day layoff, St. Thomas defeated Hope 78-67 in a battle of highly ranked undefeated teams. Both teams opened the game well offensively as Hope's five starters all scored and All-American Kaitlin Langer scored 10 points in the first quarter. St. Thomas closed the first half on a 7-0 run capped by Hannah Spaulding's layup that gave the Tommies a 36-35 halftime lead. Gabby Zehrer kept momentum on the Tommies' side with nine points in the third period and Kaitlin Langer put the game away with 11 points in the final period. Box score

St. Thomas coach Ruth Sinn picked up her 250th career victory, which includes a 65-5 mark in the last two-plus seasons. Langer finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Tommies (9-0) while Francesca Buchanan scored 15 for Hope (11-1). St. Thomas plays host Bluffton tomorrow since the Beavers took care of Centre 53-35.

Having already beaten Puget Sound earlier this season, Trinity (Texas) added another win over a ranked NWC foe to its resume. The Tigers outlasted George Fox 83-78 in overtime as Micah Weaver came off Trinity's bench to score 22 points. Trailing by eight with three minutes remaining in regulation, the Bruins ripped off a 7-0 run to get back into the game and got two free throws from Kaycee Creech with 39 seconds left to tie the game. In the extra period the Tigers closed the game with a 7-0 run with five of those points coming from the foul line. Box score

There will be another matchup of highly ranked undefeated teams tomorrow when No. 8 Wartburg hosts No. 6 Washington U. The Knights demolished Hamline 85-41 and the Bears handled UW-La Crosse 67-38 in the opening round of Wartburg's holiday tournament.

No. 4 Thomas More passed what may be its last tough test of the regular season as the Saints held off Illinois Wesleyan 77-70 at home. The Saints improved to 10-0 with only conference games remaining. Thomas More has lost one game in the Presidents Athletic Conference in the last six seasons and none since January 2012.

Denison continued its recovery from a rough start as the Big Red knocked off No. 19 Albright 51-48 in Puerto Rico. Denison has won five of six after starting the season 1-6. Jordan Holmes notched 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for Denison.

All the other Top 25 teams won handily, including No. 2 Amherst which retunred from break by blasting SUNY Oneonta 97-31 in California. Thirteen of the 14 Amherst players used scored while the Red Dragons didn't crack double-figures in any period. Box score

Jack Daly hit a jump shot with one second left to beat Illinois Wesleyan.
File photo by Middlebury

Middlebury's thrilling win over No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan plus Williams' upset victory over No. 15 Hope adds up to a very nice night for the NESCAC.

Illinois Wesleyan trailed Middlebury 75-69 with less than two minutes to play in the College of Staten Island's Tournament of Heroes. Brady Rose scored four straight to pull the Titans within two and then Colin Bennett took the ball away from Middlebury and set up Jaylen Beasley for the game-tying layup with 18 seconds left. But Jack Daly hit the game-winning jumper for Middlebury with one second left to give the Panthers the win. Box score

After missing an opportunity to beat Hope in regulation, Williams used an 8-0 run in overtime to put the Flying Dutchmen away, 91-85. Trailing by two midway through the extra period, Williams' Michael Kempton hit one of two free throws. The Ephs grabbed his missed shot and found James Heskett for three to complete the four-point possession. Heskett hit two free throws on Williams' next possession and the Ephs hung on for the victory. Daniel Aronowitz had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Williams (9-1) while Harrison Blackledge scored 21 points for Hope (7-3).

UW-Stevens Point continued its recovery a slow start with a 65-63 victory over No. 20 North Central (Ill.). Ethan Bublitz hit two free throws with two seconds left to snap the tie. The Pointers have won six of seven after losing their first two games. Box score

Rob Kornaker picked up his 300th win as St. John Fisher defeated Colby-Sawyer 95-67. Ty Sabin scored 31 points in 29 minutes and Ripon rolled over Willamette, 87-57. Davonte Harris' shot with one second left was the difference as Adrian edged Baldwin Wallace 67-65.